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Pingree couple finds business they can involve family in

Scott and Melissa Merrill wanted a business/product they could involve their children in.
Eventually they settled upon a Murphy bed company which a Utah man had decided to sell.
"It's something we could do together," Scott said of building and selling the wall beds often seen in old movies.
"They're better than anything on the market and priced better than anyone else, too," he said.
According to Wikipedia, a Murphy bed is also called a pull down or fold-down bed. It is a bed that is hinged at one end to store vertically against the wall, or inside a closet or cabinet.
Murphy beds are used for space-saving purposes, much like a trundle bed.
Theyand other family members have been demonstrating their product at home shows around the Intermountain West.
"Our cabinets are 100 percent custom," he said. "We can make them in pine, hickory, oak or whatever you want.
"Murphy beds are really economical," said Melissa. "They're good for guest houses like in Island Park and for offices or dens.
"Most people can't afford to build houses right now, so they're remodeling," Melissa said.
The Merrills will be displaying their product, which they market as Murphy Wallbed Designs, at eight home shows in the next two months.
Both Scott and Merrill also have other jobs. Scott partners with Bobby Hansen Trucking in hauling fertilizer and fire retardant and Melissa is a medical assistant for a doctor in Pocatello.
They have seven children, two of whom are married, and one grandbaby.
"I grew up on a dairy farm in Rockford," Scott recalled. "I've mainly ranched and driven truck."
Melissa is from Ogden, Utah, but moved to Star Valley, Wyo., 15 years ago.
The couple met on the Internet and married about a year ago.
"My mom had (a Murphy bed) in Twin Falls, but ours are not like the wall beds from the old days," Scott said.
"They're safe and they're light and easy to operate," he added.
He noted that his product can be fitted with a pillowtop mattress and a variety of components can be added.
Contact the Merrills at 208-243-8095 or www.murphywallbeddesigns.com for more information.